AC itineraries for this December holiday season seem to be cheaper than all other carriers...

I'm planning an itinerary to Asia over the Christmas holidays and I just couldn't pull the trigger on booking a Polaris flight that costs almost twice than usual. A year ago, I booked in April for December and got a triangular flight SEA-SFO-MNL + MNL-NRT + HND-SEA for $4700 in business class. For this year, my vacation schedule was not finalized until now, and tickets are currently in the $7500+/- leaving the weekend before Christmas and returning the weekend after New Year's. I am praying for a price drop miracle to happen.

Anyway, all UA itineraries involving all-UA, or UA-NH combos seem to be priced the same. BR only itineraries are priced higher (8K+), and so are the few remaining OZ on my dates. However, AC-only, or some UA+AC combos are priced only a few hundred above normal price (4600 +/-). SkyTeam/ DL/ KE are all 12K+, and JAL is 10K+.

I did notice that earlier this year, AC business fares to Asia were as low as 3500, even when originating in SEA. As much as I'm desperate, not sure I want to fly through YVR or fly AC, even though I'm closer there geographically than I am to Tacoma. My experience of YVR in 2024 was not good, and the stories I hear about AC in business are even worse. Are those the reasons why AC is priced cheaper? Or are they trying to price out PR?